I have spent 2 days trying to get digirig working with mainly a Baofeng UV-5R. I followed the directions to a tee in the video youtube video Digirig setup for Vara FM. The radio does key when I go to tune but I always get a no signal response. If I try an just use Vara in Winlink I see the radio transmit and then I get a failure connecting with … The station is just 8 miles from me line of sight in a rural area and I easily get to it using my ICOM 9700 with Vara FM. The location for the Vara FM node is also where a repeater is and the same radio never has a problem reaching there. I have a shielded cable with ferrites at both ends and am running Win 11. In addition I also tried Direwolf and again the digirig just will not work. Similar behavior, direwolf starts fine but no communication takes place and when I try and connect it transmits and then a disconnect is reported.
Just to keep in mind that the RF communication is not Digirig’s direct responsibility. As a sanity check you should be able to maintain a clear voice contact with the same equipment at the same distance and in the same conditions.
Another thing to consider is that IC-9700 is a 100W radio from a top brand and you might need to attenuate your expectations when comparing it to the bottom of the barrel HT even if the same antenna is involved in tests.
With that out of the way, let’s move to the troubleshooting.
- PTT: You already mentioned that that works.
- Input audio: Do you hear the VaraFM traffic on the air on your HT directly and on the computer through Digirig with “listen” option enabled?
- Output audio: do you hear your HTs signal on the air while monitoring the frequency using another radio?
I have the same issue with trying to get Winlink and Vara FM working with a UV-5R. I have spent many hours with the detailed instructions from N1SPW and YouTube videos, to no avail.
I was hoping to have the Baofeng as a portable backup to my other Winlink setup with a Tait 8200 and RA board which works fine. I have now ordered a second RA board (made by a local ham) to use with the UV-5R (as other club members have had no issue getting this working with the UV-5R). The RA Board is a little bigger than the Digirig, but still portable and about the same price as the Digirig.
No doubt, there is an advantage for a new user to use what their club is using.
If you want to get the Digirig working with your Baofeng HT come back here with your issues anytime. There is an excellent Guide, Troubleshooting Digital Modes – digirig which presents a step-by-step approach to isolating and solving problems to get you on the air.
I help out here because it took me a while to get my Digirig to work with my Baofeng HT for Vara FM. Once I got it working, though, it was reliable. I easily troubleshoot the occasional problems that arise in the field.
73 Constrainted
I support many users with a variety of knock off radios. It doesn’t matter if it’s Digirig, DRA, or other, I typically see the same issue - receive audio. Most need more attenuation on the device input. 30db is common.
That being said, you also get what you pay for. I’ve had a couple of users just give up with Bao’s, as they were too inconsistent.
Matt
AL0R